8 month old obsessed with tv

[Armywifelife]

I really need some advice as I'm feeling like a rubbish mum. Over a few months my DS who is 8 months has just become addicted to the tv to the point where if it's not on something he likes (anything other than finding Nemo) or switched off he has a proper tantrum and will not stop crying. He plays with his toys etc and is a very happy baby. He has also always been very laid back, likes to sleep/rest a lot and tires quite quickly when I play with him. Some of my friend's babies don't even pay any attention to the tv which makes me feel like I've failed him as he loves it so much.
I believe it started when he was younger and I used to watch friends a lot but I always figured he was too young to notice but it's got so out of hand now. Someone please help me!

Does he nap at all in the day? Sounds to me like he needs a daytime nap or two. Especially if you can't keep him up past 6pm. Mine were still on 2 naps per day at 8months although I know many only have an afternoon one at that age.
Maybe if he was less tired he wouldn't notice the lack of TV?
Apologies if I'm speaking out of turn.

Anklebiter yes it's Nemo and only Nemo! We have got to just having the sound on now as he loves the voices. As soon as it starts he starts giggling and smiling!

Squidiot I appreciate your advice and I do think I worded my title wrong so I apologise about that I was in a bit of a flap when I wrote it. As I said I have resorted to just having sound or music on so we can dance etc and it's not going too bad. Im not sure why I was so reluctant to be tough on him on this issue as all round I would consider myself to be pretty tough as he's generally a really good baby and not a whinger to get his own way kind of baby (yet).

Molten thanks for your post. Yes he has 3 naps a day totalling of 3 1/2 hours so I think he gets enough to be honest! His last nap ends at 4pm and like I said its a struggle by 5pm. The last 2 mornings he has slept an hour later in the morning (12 hours instead of 11) and has been a lot better in the evening so hopefully it continues. He was happy to sit in his walker and watch me wash up tonight as DH is at work but we've been out all day at a summer fair then the park and swimming so he was worn out.

It sounds like you are doing a brilliant job. Lots of fun activities etc. Getting plenty of naps, got rid of dummy too. Don't listen to a certain negative poster who quite frankly sounded rude. 6pm bedtime is great too. Mine used to go down early and wake early.
I think most mums question their ability and constantly question whether they are doing the right thing. Are they socialising their baby enough, feeding them the right things, getting enough sleep or playing with them enough.
It's easy for people to say turn it off and it sounds like you have already taken advice and had some success.
Well done op, keep it up. You are doing fine.

lotsoffunandgames Suit yourself if you think common sense is rude. I wasn't criticising the OP's parenting in the slightest. Just used common sense to not let an 8 month old dictate TV time. As it happens, my advice would have been the same if he'd been 8 years, not 8 months.

'Turn the telly off and give him the dummy back.....sort your priorities' 'get it sorted' and pretty much the whole tone of your comments were rude. You call it abrupt but you could have just worded it differently. Common sense is great but perhaps think about how you say it.